How do you deal with poor harvest rate in the field?

[The Ri Guy]

Similar scenario, my units I hunt are all 3+ hours from my house so scouting with a toddler and busy wife is virtually impossible.

To that end, I haven't killed an elk in nearly 20 years since switching off compound to recurve, but I still go every season and grind it out. Doesn't take away from the experience for me at all, could have killed 3 different bulls last year with a compound between 50-70 yards, simply outside of my effective and ethical recurve range, and bull tags are hard to draw in WA.

I guess I'm a lucky guy (or a terrible husband/father), when I walk out the door for hunting, I'm focused on the achieving the mission and returning home unharmed until I'm out of unit and back on the highway home and have no guilt or reservations about pursuing my passion or what I'm missing at home.

 

[Koda_]

When you have a family its very hard to justify an established pattern of unsuccessful hunts. Even more so if your the only one in the family that actually goes hunting.

 

[wind gypsy]

When you have a family its very hard to justify an established pattern of unsuccessful hunts. Even more so if your the only one in the family that actually goes hunting.

I could see that especially if a guy is always buying new gear to "help be successful". I've got a buddy who's been on 4 or 5 out of state elk hunts and never killed one. I know his wife questions why he's spent so much $ and time on it without success and it eats at him a little.

I haven't experienced extended droughts on my western hunts but have eaten a fair number of tags. We bought deer hunting land near home in 2021 and spent a boat load of money on tractor and implements and habitat improvements. 4 season on it now and still haven't shot a deer on it. I feel plenty of guilt for time away but in no way does having not shot anything on the land play into that. I think the fact that my wife well understands that it's about the journey more than the kill in most instances that has never made me feel any pressure to punch tags so my time away seems more worthy or justified.

Plus, she doesn't want any more animals hanging on the walls anyway

 

[Dos Perros]

I hunted elk this year with a 7 year old bow, and some clothing going on 10 years old. I don't spend a lot on gear, really just replace what breaks or fails. I certainly felt some guilt coming home empty handed this year, mostly because I never even felt like I was 'hunting,' just dudes absolutely everywhere, or no elk where they weren't. I came home grumpy. Felt like I wasted my time. I don't like being like that. Life is too short. I've got a 6 and 10 year old at home. Decided I'm not going to hunt easy-to-draw stuff anymore when I could just take them fishing and have way more fun.

 

[Amos Keeto]

I could see that especially if a guy is always buying new gear to "help be successful". I've got a buddy who's been on 4 or 5 out of state elk hunts and never killed one. I know his wife questions why he's spent so much $ and time on it without success and it eats at him a little.

I haven't experienced extended droughts on my western hunts but have eaten a fair number of tags. We bought deer hunting land near home in 2021 and spent a boat load of money on tractor and implements and habitat improvements. 4 season on it now and still haven't shot a deer on it. I feel plenty of guilt for time away but in no way does having not shot anything on the land play into that. I think the fact that my wife well understands that it's about the journey more than the kill in most instances that has never made me feel any pressure to punch tags so my time away seems more worthy or justified.

Plus, she doesn't want any more animals hanging on the walls anyway

Back in 1975 through 1979, I made an annual pilgrimage to SW Colorado to elk or deer hunt.
Fat boy flatlanders don't do well in mountains OR higher elevations!
But I was younger and able to do fairly well. I killed one small fork horn mule deer.
I got married in 1979, I already had an elk hunt set up for that fall.

After realizing the fiscal impact that hunt had on our marriage, I took her on a mulie hunt in 1980.
It didn't take long for me to realize that if I hunted my beloved east Texas:
1) I would have more time to hunt
2) I would be much more successful
3) it cost a LOT less money
4) hunting could be a half day affair instead of a week
5) fat boy flatlanders are MUCH more comfortable in flat ground and lower elevations! LOL!

Yes! I enjoyed Colorado, but I never missed spending the time and money it cost to go up! Besides, that 896 mile drive was a bear! My deer lease cost the same as a Colorado "Non-Resident Elk" tag!

 

[Wrench]

Lower your standards to raise your average. If you hold out for 300" bulls in a unit that produces 5 of those a year for all hunts combined, you'll be disappointed in your odds. If you can be happy with a legal animal in that unit, you just upped your odds to those on the harvest report.

If you hunt every daylight hour and have done your homework, you're probably able to triple your odds as most guys don't hunt all day.

At the end of the day, is it about experience or making meat? If you chose one over the other.....you better go home exhausted or relaxed depending on your choice.

 

[Szwampdonkey]

No

Please don’t….

 

[Pony Soldier]

Strangely enough, my experience has been that the areas with the least amount of elk have some of the largest bulls but also the fewest number of hunters.

In my home hunting range, I see young bulls with the cows during the summer but they completely disappear during rifle season. I haven't seen but one bull older than 3 in nearly 40 years. I haven't seen a legal bull during rifle season since 2016. We just keep pulling cow tags.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

Hey all. Wanted to put this out there to see if I could lean on anyone else’s experiences.

I have hunted my whole life. Up until recently I never seemed to have a problem harvesting animals. We hunted, found animals, had some luck on our side, and harvested. I live out west and have hunted some private land and now, mostly public otc hunts with 1 private land hunt every other year.

My work and a gracious wife allow me to spend a lot of time in the woods.

About 5 years ago, for whatever reason, animal harvests just seemed to disappear. This includes 4 out of state hunts, and several more in state hunts. Both on foot and on horseback. Close to roads and as far as 14 miles in from a trailhead. I live 4-6 hours from my hunting spots so every hunt turns into a lot of travel.

I hike. More than most. Typically finding myself in areas away from people. Some hunts have had close calls. And some have seen nothing. I feel like I have put in the work, but for whatever reason lacking that last bit of luck to harvest.

Where I’m going with this.

This have challenged my love for hunting. Guilt has crept in now with a wife and two young kids. Many days and nights away, putting the burden on my wife, to come home empty handed time and time again. Its affected my confidence in the field and overall attitude towards hunting. I have found myself in some beautiful places, but it is beginning to feel like the juice is not worth the squeeze.

I do enjoy the hunts and the time spent with buddies. But I do consider a harvest an important part. I don’t expect to harvest on every hunt. But like I said, 5 years, 4 out of state hunts and many in state hunts leaving me frustrated with the time, effort and money spent.

Maybe I sound like a total jackass but any insight would be appreciated. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Would love to hear some thoughts.

Your feelings are normal concerning the way you are analyzing your situation. Everyone who’s been where you are have done the same.

As far as harvesting animals you know that quitting isn’t an option. While the kill is a major variable, it’s not the only reason you hunt. So, don’t quit. Regroup.


Have you considered changing areas? Changing time lines of the hunts you do? Maybe consider there’s nothing to change. You just got hunt through it. It’ll turn around.



I’m in the same boat where I rifle hunt deer. Deer numbers are good. But, the over story of beech and hemlock have died in much of this area. Creating thousands and thousands and thousands of acres of extremely thick country.


The deer are there. The sign is there. You hear them. You just can’t see them. And, when you do it’s a glimpse. I’ve saw 4 deer in 20 days of hunting over the last 3 years. And killed 3 of them. It’s tough.

It’s frustrating to say the least. But, I’m going to spend winter finding better ground. I ain’t quitting. Just relocating.

Good luck whatever you do.

 

[Amos Keeto]

Your feelings are normal concerning the way you are analyzing your situation. Everyone who’s been where you are have done the same.

As far as harvesting animals you know that quitting isn’t an option. While the kill is a major variable, it’s not the only reason you hunt. So, don’t quit. Regroup.


Have you considered changing areas? Changing time lines of the hunts you do? Maybe consider there’s nothing to change. You just got hunt through it. It’ll turn around.



I’m in the same boat where I rifle hunt deer. Deer numbers are good. But, the over story of beech and hemlock have died in much of this area. Creating thousands and thousands and thousands of acres of extremely thick country.


The deer are there. The sign is there. You hear them. You just can’t see them. And, when you do it’s a glimpse. I’ve saw 4 deer in 20 days of hunting over the last 3 years. And killed 3 of them. It’s tough.

It’s frustrating to say the least. But, I’m going to spend winter finding better ground. I ain’t quitting. Just relocating.

Good luck whatever you do.

^^^^This!^^^^

If you're one of those who is independently wealthy or have a 7 digit income, it's no big deal.
Some of us middle income folks have to scrimp, save and make hard choices.
While my kids were in high school, I literally gave up hunting.
There was no way I could give them what I wanted them to have AND afford a lease and spend vacation time away from home.
I did get to do a few "invite" hunts. Seldom successful, but at least I was in the woods! LOL!

So don't feel bad. You're not the first hunter who has had to make hard choices.

Your responsibilities are:
1) God
2) Family
3) Country
4) Hunting fits in here or below.